Y’all know I’m not a book person, so it’s gotta be something GOOD to keep my attention! I just read a good portion of Ree Drummond’s, “High Heels to Wagon Wheels.” PHEW! WOOOOAH Doggy! Reminds me why it’s good for a girl to get married!🙂

A good, true, love story reminds me that it’s really a GOD story. That Eden is still a place. That perfection does exist. Yes, it comes & goes. Ebbs & flows. But it’s a reminder that a woman consistently needs to be wooed & seduced, & brought back into eden on a regular basis. It’s the way it was meant to be. The heart was meant to pound.

A woman is meant for desire & that desire is a reflection, a taste, of the desire God has for us. The tremendous, magnetic, absolutely-can’t live without-you DESIRE God has for US- AND created for a husband & his wife.

Newlyweds have so much to remind the world. So much to teach the older couples.

I always think of this when I see young lovers. I had on my “Bride” shirt, that I got before I got married, on last week & a lady said, “What are your wedding plans?” I said, “Oh, I’m already married, but I’ll ALWAYS be the Bride!”

So, bring on the pre-marital coaching clients & BRING ON THE WEDDING SEASON! A cheer for all the brides- young & old, newly or oldy- LET’S GO BRIDES!

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” Dr. Seuss

Proverbs 5:19A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.

Song of Solomon 1:2

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine.

Yeah, it’s good.

Now let’s go change the world.

Professional Life Coach, Jenny Fox Shain, M.A.

Life Coach to People Who Want to Grab Life by the Horns

Get coaching to live your dreams! Contact me.

All photography & art by Jenny Shain. Photo orders processed within one week.

Today is the first Valentines Day in my whole life that I won’t receive a Valentine from my (grandmother) Nanner. Do you keep your valentines? I think I’ve kept every one she ever gave me.

My Nanner died last week. It was alright. We had all said everything we wanted to ever say and spent so much time together, that we have No Regrets. My heart is so thankful that I had 34 years to laugh & love with my wonderful grandmother.

Last week, Nanner had to do what all of us must do, she had to throw off everything that hinders. And in the end, that required throwing off her mortal body.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. “Hebrews 12:1-2

What do you need to “throw off” today? Let us fix our eyes on The Perfecter. We do get perfection. WE get PERFECTION. Can you comprehend that? WE get it. Because WE GET CHRIST. I think that’s awesome.

So, last week, my Nanner finally through off the “tent” she was living in & received Christ himself. I WANTED that for her. It was so much better for her to go!

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”2 Corinthians 5:1-10

The death of my grandmother increased my awareness that everything on earth is under a curse. It’s not “natural” for people to age, to die. Death is the biggest reminder of the weight of sin.

My father preached her incredible funeral based on the worship described in Revelation. A good funeral always reminds me of the Christmas song, “Joy To the World,” “He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found!”

A curse brought us together last week, but a covenant far greater will keep us together forever.

Our salvation is not dependent on our prayers or our “good” life. It lies squarely on the shoulders of our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone bought it. He alone can bear it. He is the author & finisher of our faith.

This Valentines day Nanner will, for her first Valentines day ever, truly comprehend PERFECT LOVE.

She has joined the great throng of worshipers singing loudly.

“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:11-13

Don’t you want a Valentines Day in the midst of True Love? It is the great & coming Love. Share it. No regrets. (Picture of my grandmother’s roses)

Now let’s go change the world.

Professional Life Coach, Jenny Fox Shain, M.A.

Life Coach to Creative Youth & Young Adults

Get coaching to live your dreams! Contact me.

All photography & art by Jenny Shain. Photo orders processed within one week.

There is a lot of mindless, pointless dating going on. A lot of boys with no good intentions that want to date some really fabulous young women in our communities. We’ve all heard about dads who joke, “I’ll get my gun out if any boy comes around.” But I find it strange that I rarely hear of any fathers or mothers giving wise council to these young men & women. Where are the fathers & mothers that know how to handle a guy who wants to date their daughters?

It’s time to Be Courageous. Ask Hard Questions.

1. What is your PURPOSE in dating my daughter?

2. What are your spiritual beliefs?

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14

If they are not at peace with God, then you can just stop right there. We cannot act like these relationships are cute. We cannot support a relationship between a believer & a non-believer. This subject must not be treated lightly. In God’s law, a pastor cannot marry a couple that is not one in Christ. God has something Better! Even when women cannot believe this for themselves, we must remind them.

3. What are you doing to protect the PURITY of my daughter?

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Is he touching her inappropriately? ASK!

4. How do you PROVIDE for yourself?

5. How do you PLAN on providing for a family?

6. What’s your credit score?

If they aren’t scared by now, this ought to get ’em! One of the BEST indicators of a man’s integrity & responsibility is their credit score. Financial issues are the number one reason for divorce. We want something BETTER!!!

7. When was the last time you got angry? How did you respond?

8. Are you prepared for marriage?

Let me know what they say to this one. If he’s already proposed, you’re going to have to get on it & work fast!

What is the point in dating someone that isn’t suitable for marriage? There isn’t one.

I hope we see strong moms, dads, & leaders rise up! Be Courageous!

Give the single women & men in your community sound advice on dating & marriage. It’s your God given responsibility & honor to guide them. Not just to be their “friends.”

Now let’s go change the world.

Professional Life Coach, Jenny Fox Shain, M.A.

Life Coach to Creative Youth & Young Adults

Get coaching to help you gain a different perspective! Contact me.

All photography & art by Jenny Shain. Photo orders processed within one week.

I’ve been doing a little experiment the last six months. I had previously thought that I had to say certain things, even if they were negative. I actually thought I would explode if I didn’t say them. Because I had to clear my head, get things off my chest. If I didn’t, surely my brain would ****Explode****. Then I realized that I didn’t want to be such a negative person. That those comments were just contributing to the negativity of society. So, the last six months I began testing the “EXPLOSION Theory.” Would I BUST & just DIE if I didn’t say things that were on my mind? Well, The VERDICT is IN! No explosions! & I’m still alive! It’s taken a lot of work & failure, but I’ve made progress. Last night for example, I really wanted to say something that was on my mind to my husband. But first I asked myself, Is this good for him? Is that the last thing I want him to hear as he goes to sleep? So, I let it go instead. I quickly decided that his life was better off without it.

Don’t Feed the Negativity Bear!

If you don’t feed the negativity in your mind, it fades.

Watch as negativity fades & love grows.

If you feel the SAME negative thought perpetuating itself for several hours, days, or weeks, write it down & put it in the trash. Better yet, burn it.

It can be difficult to change habits, I won’t lie. And sometimes you must speak up for yourself, set truths straight, or speak up so you don’t get run over. But for other things I have been amazed at how negative thoughts & comments can be set aside or deleted.

God has given us incredible POWER & COMMANDS to change our mindset. Make a list of your “Go to” sources for mind-shifts. Specific songs, quotes, attributes of God, verses, people, photos, animals, or loved ones that can change the way you think & feel.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Now let’s go change the world.

Professional Life Coach, Jenny Fox Shain, M.A.

Life Coach to Visionary & Creative People

Get coaching to help you gain a different perspective, contact me.

All photography & art by Jenny Shain. Photo orders processed within one week.

Someone said to me the other day, “I am the unluckiest person in the world.” And proceeded to tell me all about it. I tried not to roll my eyes & barf on myself. I wanted to interrupt her and tell her how I was probably THE Luckiest Person in the whole world. And that she should hang around me more often if she wanted to feel lucky! But I didn’t want to interrupt her because she seemed to really enjoy talking about how unlucky she was.

‎“Most people are thinking about what they don’t want & wondering why it keeps showing up over and over again.” J.Assaraf

“All achievements, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea.” Napoleon Hill

The same is true for “Thought Poverty.” Poverty, desperation, lack, ungratefulness – those have their beginnings in our ideas as well. Perception is everything. Do NOT let your mind be overcome by “thought poverty.” Train your thoughts to believe that God loves ALL of you & wants the BEST for you. Then you will be able to allow the Spirit of God to flow through your mind, into your life, and overflow into joy!

“Only love let’s us see normal things In an extraordinary way.”

So, how’s life lookin to ya? Are you “Lucky”? (Most reformed Christians are not allowed to say “lucky” but I’m a renegade.) As you know from reading my post “100 Days Of Blessings” I have been counting my blessings everyday & saying THANK YOU GOD all day! The amazing thing is that the greater my awareness grows of how wonderful my life is, the more wonderful it becomes! The more grateful I am, then the more room I have in my heart, mind, & life to accept EVEN MORE Blessings! And YES I Accept them Lord! Thank YOU!

Are YOU Lucky?

Do you have friends? If you do, YOU are Lucky.

Do you have a church where people care about you & you can learn about God? If so, You’re Lucky!

Do you have a car? You’re Lucky.

Do you have a home? A job? An education? You’re Lucky.

Do you have a phone, computer, (insert your blessings here)… You’re Lucky!

Do you have an *imagination*? the ability to dream & create? You’re SUPER LUCKY!

Do you KNOW GOD? You’re Lucky🙂

Does God know YOU? Yep, YOU, my friend, ARE LUCKY!

If you would like coaching to help you gain a different perspective, contact me!

If you believe God has called you to something, look for ways to say, “YES, GOD!” When people say things that AFFIRM that calling, do not look sheepishly away. Say “THANK YOU!” Accept it. Do not continue to look at your past when it seemed impossible. Turn & face forward. Notice every opportunity God gives you to open another door in that direction! No one else is going to open up those doors for you or walk through them. Don’t sit around and wait. Walk through and see what happens!

Don’t write one message on your goals list & vision board, then affirm something totally different & negative when you are talking with people. You’ve got to train your brain & your heart to take courage! Sometimes you shut your own self down by saying negative things about your gifts and calling. Do NOT send yourself mixed messages! Be clear in your direction & daily envision it opening up.

Here’s an example from myself.

Being a photographer and working for many years for other photographers I knew I wanted to make money on my own, own my own equipment, run my own business producing gorgeous wedding photography under Jenny Shain Photography, and more. Everyone around me kept telling me that as well. But I sent mixed messages to my brain saying, “that is too hard, too expensive, too risky, impossible in this economy.” And frankly I was getting mad at so many people telling me what a great business I would have! Because they didn’t understand how difficult and expensive it would be. And when you keep telling others & God “no,” it reallyslowsdowntheprocess! Then one day I decided to change my perspective & say, “well of course that is possible. Yes, God.I am open to receiving the camera & computer equipment you have for me. Yes, God. I am totally open to charging people for my services under my own business. Yes, God, what avenues shall I look for my resources under?” I decided to tell people YES. Yes, when they had “ridiculous” (what I thought before) ideas of how I could obtain the equipment. YES when people asked me to shoot their portraits, weddings, & events. I started to accept & believe that there were multiple streams of resources waiting for me to tap in to!

FLIP IT!

The time I spent worrying about how it could be done, I now spend envisioning HOW it CAN be Done! Envisioning how happy people are with my work.

Now here is YOUR CHALLENGE. For the remaining time in this year, take the time you spent worrying & mentally pushing something WONDERFUL away & spend that time now imagining what is possible.

Are you sending one message when you write down your goals & a different message when God shows you a door, a possible passageway for that goal? Some of you need to CLEAR your emotional suitcase so that you can MAKE ROOM TO SAY YES.The emotional hoarding has taken up WAY too much space in your life. You must STOP that spinning tornado in your mind so that you can clearly hear from God. THAT is a choice. Command those past emotions to HUSH UP! so you cansend YOURSELF, OTHERS, & GOD the message of saying YES to your Future! CLEAR that pipeline from you to God…keep it clean & fresh & Renewed.